MT requires 10-digit dialing starting Sunday

The Federal Communications Commission has announced that starting Sunday, Oct. 24, people will have to dial local numbers preceded by the state 406 area code.

The FCC adopted “988” as a new three-digit number to be used nationwide to contact the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. This is similar to calling 911 for emergency services or 811 for call-before-you-dig.

Because Montana has a working 988 three-digit prefix, the entire state has to switch to using 10-digit dialing for all local calls. The change must be implemented so that 988 can be used as the n...